Electrical-switch mechanism



April 20 1926.

A. J. HEITZ' ELECTRICAL SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Nov. 15, 1924 m n 1 Z a Ar 5 a J w W 7 0 .I M: W J M? l H,

Patented Apr. 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES ALBERT HEITZ, OF VINCENN ES, INDIANA.

ELECTRICAL-SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed November 13, 1924. Serial No. 749,742.

To all whom it may concern Be it,known that I, ALBERT J. HEITZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vincennes, in the county of Knox and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical-Switch Mechanism, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a switch for use in connection with an electric lamp fixture, more particularly to that type of fixture employed with lamps in multiple for use in stores, banking rooms, ofiices, etc., and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a switch having means whereby one of .the lamps will be independently active or all of the lamps simultaneously active for illuminating purposes, and further including a switch or use in connection with two or more lamps and including means for the initial lighting of one of the lamps only, and which will automatically operate to cut in the circuit of a' second lamp in the event of the burning out of the active lamp, whereby there is obtained a continuous lighting of an interior with an aggregate of assurance and certainty.

A further object of the invention is to provide, a switch, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for use in connection with lamps of a multiple and including means whereby one of the lamps of the multiple will be active at all times for the purpose of illuminating the interior of a store room,

banking room. etc. sufficiently to enable a pedestrain, policeman or watchman to view the interior thereof at all times to discover the pre:ence of a surreptitious or unauthorized person, fire, leakage of steam and water pipes, or when the appearance of such interior is not normal which would cause the observer toconclude that something is wrong.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a switch for use in connection with lamps in multiple and including means whereby one of the lamps ofthe multiple will be active at all times and further including a controlling means whereby all of the lamps of the multiple will be siinultane-- ously active.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, 111 a manner as hereinafter set scribed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodi ment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. V I

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views t Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of an electric multiple lamp fixture showing the adaptation therewith of a switching mechamsm, in accordance with this invention Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken at right angles to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of a multiple lamp fixture illustrating the manually operable elements of the controlling means.

Figure l is a sectional plan of a multiple lamp fixture showing the adaptation therewith of a switching mechanism, in accord ance with this invention.

Figure 5 is a section on line 55, F igure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Fi ure 4.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7, Figure 6. I

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the controlling means.

Figure 9 is an end view of the controlling means.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 denotes an inverted cup-shaped holder of insulation material, having connected to its bottom a concave closure plate 2, provided with openings 3, carrying socket members 4 of insulation. -The holder 1 is closed at its'top and has an extension 5 projecting fromthe top 6, centrally thereof. It is obof socket members 4 can be any number desired. By way of example, the switching mechanism is shown in connection with two lamps, but it is obvious that it can be readily modified for use in connection with lamps in multiples of other than the number shown.

Threadedly engaging with .each of the socket members 4 and extending into the holder 1 is a threaded shell which conples a lamp to the holder. One of the shells is indicated at 7 and the other at 8. One of the lamps is indicated at 9 and the other at 10. The plug of each of the lamps is indicated at 11 and each shell is in electrical contact with that plug with which it engages. The shells 7 and 8 project inward- 1y from the inner ends of the plugs 11, and each of the shells has the inner portion, at one side thereof, cut away, as at 12, to provide an opening for the passage of a contact member to be hereinafter referred to.

The extension 5 constitutes a plug for the holder 1 and which has its outer end reduced to provide an annular shoulder 13. Surrounding the extension 5 is a threaded contact sleeve 14, formed at its inner end with an inwardly extending annular flange 15, which is seated on the shoulder 13. The extension 5 is formed with a pair of passages 16, 17, which register respectively with the openings 18, 19, in the top 6.

Positioned against the inner face of the top 6, as well as projecting therefrom, is a pair of oppositely extendin'g'contact members referred to generally by the reference characters 20, 21. Each of said contact members is formed of a rectangular upper portion 22, an outwardly inclined interme-' diate portion 23 of less width than the portion 22, and an inwardly extending and outwardly inclined circular lower portion 24. Each upper portion 22 has its inner end provided with an opening 25 having athreaded wall. The opening 25 in an up u portion-22 registers with an opening 18 or 19. The contact members 20 and 21 are secured to the inner face of the top 6, and the lower portion 24 of the contact member 21 bears against the shell 7, and the lower portion 24 of the contact member 20 bears against the shell 8. The contact members 20 and 21 are securedagainst the inner face of the top 6 by contact bolts 26 and 27. The bolt 26 extends through the flange 15, passage 16, opening 18 and has threaded engagement with the wall of the opening 25 of the upper portion 22 of the contact inem-H ber 20, and said bolt 26 projects below the upper portion of said contact member 20.'

The bolt 27 extends through the flange 15, passage 17, openin 19 and has threaded engagement with t e wall of the opening 25 of the upper portion 22 of the contact member 21, and said bolt 27 further depends l-elow the upper portion of the contact member 21. y

The extension 5, centrally thereof, is formed with a central passage 28 which registers with an opening 29 formed centrally of the top 6. Extendingthrough the passage 28 and opening 29 is a contact bolt 30, to he hereinafter referred to.

-The inner face of the top 6 of the holder 1, is provided with a rectangular pocket 31 and which is spaced from the upper portions 22 of the contact members 20, .21. Arranged within the holder 1 is a brass strap of yoke-shaped contour and which depends from the top 6. The yoke-shaped brass strap is indicated generally by the ie'fcrence character and comprises an upper and a lower horizontally disposed leg 33, 34 respectively and a vertical leg 35. The leg 33 snugly engages the walls of the pocket 31, but the thickness of the leg 33 is less than the depth of the pocket 31. The leg 32 extends into one end of the pocket See Figure 2. Arranged against the lower face of the leg 33 and within the pocket 31 is an iron bar 35, and seated upon the upper face of the leg 34 is an iron bar 36. The contact bolt 30 has threaded engagement with the leg 33 and bar 35, as well as extending below said bar 35 and by this arrangement the yoke 32, as well as the bar 35 is fixedly secured to and is suspended from the top 6 of the'holder 1.

Arranged between the'bars 35 and 36,

as well as projecting outwardly therefrom, is a magnet 37 and which is fixedly secured, as at 38, to the leg 33 and bar 35 and at 39 to the leg 34 and bar 36. The securing means 39 connects the bar 36 to the leg 34. The magnet 37 is positioned a substantial distance from the leg 35.

' Secured to the leg 35 of the strap 32 and projecting towards the magnet 37 isga stub shaft or pin 40, formed of copper or brass, havinga retaining collar 41 at its inner end.

,Monnted on the shaft 40 is a sleeve 42 of brass or copper provided with a flange 43 at each end. Carried by the sleeve 42 is the armature 44 of the magnet 37, and posi- 'tioned against the rear face of the armature 44, as well as being secured thereto by. one of the flanges,43 of the sleeve 42, is a strip 45 constructed of metallic material different from that'of the armature 44, such asbrass or copper. The strip 45 at one end is providedwith an arm 46 disposed at right angles with respect thereto and which is positioned to extend across one side edge of the armature 44. Mounted on the shaft 40 1s a coiled spring 47 having one end socured to the shaft 40, as at 48, and its other end secured to the armature 44, as at 49, and which is adapted to shift the strip 45 and armature 44 from normal position when the magnet is de-energized. The shifting of the armature 44, by the magnet 37, when the latter is energized, is had against the action of the spring 47. When spring 47 shifts the armature 44 the latter engages arm 46 so that the strip 45 will be carried therewith,

I and said strip will be shifted a distance whereby the arm 46 will engage a contact to be hereinafter referred to and close a second lighting circuit, independent of that circuit of which the magnet 37 forms a part.

Secured to the lower face of the leg 34 of the strap 32 is a pair of oppositely extending contact members 50, 51. The contact member 50 is in electrical contact with the plug 11 of the lamp 10. The contact member 51 is in electrical contact with the plug 11 of the lamp 9.

Secured to the bar 36"and leg 34, as well as depending therefrom, is a clamping screw carrying a collar 53 of insulation, arranged below the leg 34 and extending from the head 54 of the screw 52 to the leg 34. Mounted on the head 54 of the screw 52 is a washer 55 of insulation. Mounted on the washer 55 is one end of the contact member 50. Positioned on the said end of the contact member 50 is a washer 56 of insulation. Mounted on one end of the contact member 51 is a washer 57 of insulation, and the said end of the contact member 51 is positioned on the washer 56. The sleeve 53 extends through the washers 55, 56 and 57 and also through the said ends of the contact members 50 and 51.

The contact member 50 is connected to the magnet 37 by a circuit wire connection 58. The contact member 51, in proximity to the washer 57, is provided with a vertically disposed contact arm 59 adapted to be engaged by the arm 46 for the purpose of closing the light circuit for the lamp 9 when the magnet 37 is de-energized. 1

The controlling means, which is carried by and supported from the top 6 of the holder 1, consists pf an inverted yoke-shaped member 60 secured to-the top 6, by a holdfast device 61. Leading from the member 60 to the magnet 37 is a circuit connection 62.

Electrically connected with the member 60 is a pivoted circuit closing lever 63 operated by a pair of push buttons 64, 65. One end of the lever 63 is adapted to engage a split contact 66 and the other end a split contact 67 which is connected with the magnet 37 by a circuit connection 68.

The circuit arrangement, to maintain one of the lamps of the multiple active at all times,is as follows Lever 63 has one end thereof shifted to engage contact 66 and its other end clear of contact 67, and it will be assumed that lamp when the lighting circuit is closed, as the magnet is in series with lamp l0 and its circuit connections. If the lighting circuit to the lamp 10 becomes open through-any cause, the magnet 37 is de-energized whereby spring 47 will shift the armature 44 and strip 45 so that ,the arm 42 will engage the contact arm 59. The lighting circuit will then be directed to the lamp 9 and the circuit would be contact bolt 30, yoke 32, shaft 40, sleeve 42, strip 45, arm 46, contact 59, contact member 51, through lamp, sleeve or shell 7, contact member'21, contact bolt 27 and sleeve or shell 14.

To provide for the simultaneous illumination of all of the lamps of the multiple, the lever'63 is shifted until one end thereof engages the contact 67 and this then shunts or short circuits the magnet out of line and in this case all the lamps would be active at'the same time. a

Contact 66 has no electrical connection with any part of the device, except when the lever 63 has one end engaging with such contact and then the electrical connection is through lever 63, which is connected to one side of the magnet, but this does not have any effect upon the device when operating to maintain one of the lamps of the multiple active. When the magnet is shunted or short circuited out of line, both lamps are illuminated.

The strap 32 carries the current and the bars 35 and 36' form only the magnet -circuit. The strap 32 carries the shaft 40 on which is arranged the sleeve 42. The strip 45 with its arm 46 is employed for contacting purposes instead of the armature 44.- By employing the strap 32 around the magnet circuit, in connect-ion with the cop-per or brass shaft 40, the copper or brass sleeve 42 and brass or copper strip 45 on one side of the armature 44, it allows the whole electric circuit of the device to be either copper or brass and the iron parts are not called upon to carry any current. Furthermore, the brass strap arrangement simplifies assembly work and provides for stronger construction. The push buttons 64 and are of different colors so as to indicate if the device is set to permit of all the lamps being active, or if it is set up maintains a lamp of the multiple to be active.

It is thought that the many advantages of a switching mechanism, in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood,

and although the referred embodiment of the inventiom is as lllustrated and described,

yet changes in the details oi construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is a 1. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a metallic strap of yoke-shape form providing a current conductor, a pair/ of spaced bars of ferromagnetic material arranged within the strap and providing a magnetic circuit, means including a normally energized electro-maghetic device arranged between said bars and electrically connected with said strap for closing a lighting circuit, and means controlled by the armature of said device for closing a second lighting circuit when said device is deenergized.

2. An electrical switching mechanism coming said magnetic device to provide for the closing of both of said lighting circuits simultaneously.

3. An electrical switching mechanism comprising a metallic strap of yoke-shaped form providing a current conductor, a pair of bars of ferromagnetic material arranged within the strap and providing a magnetic circuit, a magnetic device arranged between said bars and electrically connected to the strap and including a spring controlled armature supported from the strap and positioned between ,said bars at the other ends thereof, a contact element of a dilierent metallic material from that of ,the armature, shiftable by the latter and further elecn trically connected to the strap, circuit form- 'ing means coacting with said strap for nor= mally energizin said device to shift said lei-mature and ellament against the action of the armature-controlling spring, and circuit forming means coacting with said strap and engageable by said element when the latter is shifted bythe armature on the de-energizing of the device.

4. A switching mechanism comprising a I metallic "yoke, a pair of bars of ferromagnetic material arranged within the yoke and providing 'a' magnetic circuit, a magnet ar ranged between said bars at the open end of and electrically connected with the yoke, a spring controlled armature arranged between said bars at the'other ends-thereof and supported from the closed end of the yoke, circuit forming means for energizing nesnaoe' said magnet thereby provideda lighting circuit, a contact element of a difierent material from that of the armature and shiftable thereby and normally held in inactive position when the magnet is energized, and circuit forming means coacting with said element to provide a second lighting circuit when the magnet is de-energized. 5. A switching mechanism comprising a metallic yoke, "a pair 0 bars of ferromagnetic material arranged within the yoke and providing'a' magnetic circuit, a magnetarranged between said bars at the open end of and electrically connected with the yoke, a spring controlled armature arranged between said bars at the other ends thereof and supported from the closed end of the yoke, circuit forming means for energizing said magnet thereby providing a lighting circuit, a contact element of a difi'erent materialfrom that of the armature and shiftable thereby and normally held in inactive position when the magnet is energized, circuit forming means coactmg with said element to provide a second'lightin'g circuit when the -magnet is de-energized, and means for' shunting said magnet to provide for the simultaneous closing of said lighting circuits. v 6. switching mechanism comprising a metallic yoke forming a current conductor,

a pair of spaced bars of ferromagnetic mate.

rial arranged within and lengthwise of the yoke and providing a magnetic circuit, a magnet arranged between said bars at the openend of and electrically connected to the yoke, a springcontrolled armature ar ranged between said bars at the other ends thereof and supported from the closed end of the yoke, a contact element movable from and to operative position by the armature when the magnet-is energized and de-energized, a plurality of oppositely disposed independent contacts supported and insulated coacting withone of said contact'sto close a circuit and to energlze said magnet, and

1 circuit forming connections coacting with the other of said contacts and with said element for closing a second circuit when said magnet is de-energized.

' 7. A' switching mechanism'comprising a metallic yoke forming a current conductor,

a pair of spaced bars of ferromagnetic material arranged within and lengthwise of the yoke and providing-a magnetic circuit, a

agnet arranged between said bars at the open end of and; electrically connected to the yoke, a spring controlled armature arranged between said bars at the other ends thereof and supported from the closed end ofthe yoke, a contact elementumovable from 5 and to operative position by the armature when themagnet is energized and de-energized, a plurality of oppositely disposed infrom said yoke, circuit forming connections dependent contacts supported and insulated from said yoke, circuit forming connections coacting with one of said contacts to close a circuit and to energize said magnet, circuit forming connections coacting with the other of said contacts and Withsaid element for closing a second circuit when said magnet is de-energized, and means for shunting said magnet to simultaneously close both of said circuits.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature hereto.

ALBERT J. HEITZ. 

